I've got my stroker running sweet, now it is time to get her ready for the track. My 87 C4 automatic has wimpy gears in it now - but is still really quick. I want to get the most out of it and still be able to drive it daily. I was thinking 3.73....any feedback? Maybe 3.42 would work better? 4.10 too much?
What's the rest of your engine combination? What converter are you using? What is your planned usage for the car? If it's drag racing, particularly bracket racing, you'll want sticky tires. However, sticky tires, strokers and Dana 36s don't play well together and going to a larger gear set like 3.73s puts even more pressure on their relationship This can get expensive in a hurry.
Here's my info - 383 ci, long tube headers, no cats, Borla exhaust, 10.8:1 compression, stock cam, heads, and intake. Stock converter. Planning on running stickies only at the track.
I am not sure what rear end I have - Auto tranny in a base model 87. My research tells me I have a 2.73 (or so) gear ratio...standards in 87 may have come with 3.42s. Is there an easy way to tell?
Location: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
[quote=mackeyred96]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ODIVETTE
Here's my info - 383 ci, stock cam, heads, and intake. Stock converter. QUOTE]
Sounds to me all you have is 33 extra cu in and nothing else to work with it. Inches alone won't carry gears, You need to rethink your combination.
I'm running a H/O 383 combo which is turning more HP than your set up but your getting there.
Here's what I have and most likley you will need too if you plan on going to the track with stickies, because all your stock stuff will break.
T400 trans (you may not need this, but your 700R4 will not last)
Steel drive shaft and half shafts
D-44 (cryro if you can) w/3:73
Coan TC
Heck, I even put 1/2 studs to handle the torque from the slicks.
you'd be surprised....my car cranks. It is a free breather and it pulls harder than my fathers C5 coupe. I wasn't looking for a 10 second car when I decided to build the 383...I wanted a good running car that had more punch than the stock 240hp. I got it. I estimate the power to be over 300.
Keeping that in mind - I posted this thread to get some opinions for my set up. I am not doing anything more to the engine (except maybe ram air style induction). The Tranny was rebuilt as a street/strip, but still a 700R4. I still want to cruise as well as run in the 12s. I am in the low 13s right now.
Changing drive shafts and studs and all of that would be great if I was a hard core drag racer, but I am not. Test and tune runs are about it for me. Maybe something more competitive from there...but first things first.
So...the gears...I was gonna put 3.73s in it. Too much for the stock "everything else" to handle? Maybe I should go 3.42?
I'm assuming you are still using the stock TPI. If that is the case, i'd either leave the 2.73s or upgrade to a 3.07. If/when you blow up the 36, you might consider replacing it with a 44. If you improve your intake (runners, head work, etc), you might consider a 3.33 or 3.45 at the same time. If you change to a short runner intake and more agressive cam, then 3.45s to 3.73s would be a better choice. At your power level, the 700R should hold up assuming it's not already on it's way out. Your stock drive and 1/2 shafts should also be ok, but good Spicer ujoints without gease fittings are a must, especially on the 1/2 shafts. The best shot you have at imporving your ETs is with a good converter. Something like a vigilante or a protroque in the 2800-3200 stall range would work nicely and still be streetable. If you dont want to spend that kind of money, TCI makes a decent converter for a little less and there are many other choices. But a good converter can pick you up as much as 5 tenths over stock. I'm also assuming you have some sort of a drag tire (radial or stick)....if not, add that to the list.
That's my 2 cents........good luck.
BTW, what are you current ETs, mph and short times (sounds like you have a baseline)?
Location: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Quote:
Originally Posted by ODIVETTE
you'd be surprised....my car cranks. It is a free breather and it pulls harder than my fathers C5 coupe. I wasn't looking for a 10 second car when I decided to build the 383...I wanted a good running car that had more punch than the stock 240hp. I got it. I estimate the power to be over 300.
Keeping that in mind - I posted this thread to get some opinions for my set up. I am not doing anything more to the engine (except maybe ram air style induction). The Tranny was rebuilt as a street/strip, but still a 700R4. I still want to cruise as well as run in the 12s. I am in the low 13s right now.
Changing drive shafts and studs and all of that would be great if I was a hard core drag racer, but I am not. Test and tune runs are about it for me. Maybe something more competitive from there...but first things first.
So...the gears...I was gonna put 3.73s in it. Too much for the stock "everything else" to handle? Maybe I should go 3.42?
Hey,
No problem.
I didn't want to start a who's faster thing here, I just wanted to help.
If you are not a hard core drag guy, then just replace things as they break. Stay away from slicks. I love the 3:73's by the way, I just don't know how your D36 will hold up. Don't know if a slightly lower gear will be that much less stress on the d36 with your 383.
Thanks guys...and no, I didn't mean to start a "who's faster than who" thread. I am looking for some overall input to make my car a really fast street car and a respectable drag car.
Unfortunately, no base line. I say low 13s because of the cars I have beat. My last "victim" had a 96 Auto and he ran a 13.6 - somewhere around 100mph. I whooped him every time out on the street, so I only assume my baseline. I won't know for sure until I get out there and push it.
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C4 383ci - lets talk gears
This can get expensive in a hurry.
